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An extensive two-month voyage around the Australian Coast is being halted days after the death of an elderly female passenger who was stranded by the cruise liner on a remote island.

The elderly woman had been walking on the tropical location with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but separated from the group for a break. The ship left without her and returned several hours later after the personnel became aware the woman was missing.

An extensive hunt discovered her remains the following day.

Officials are looking into the event, in coordination with investigators and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that guests and crew on the vessel were informed that the remainder of the voyage had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and previous engine troubles".

Via official communication, he further stated that passengers would be issued a total repayment, and said the company was working "to coordinate the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Authorities also released an updated statement, and said they had "provided a order to the Commander" prohibiting any additional guests from boarding the ship.

The representative said that they would attend the ship in Cairns upon its return.

Timeline of Events

The ship originally sailed from Cairns on 24 October, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the point of the elderly woman's death. The tropical location was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on the vessel - who typically pay substantial amounts of currency to take part in the expedition - were transported there for a shore visit with the option of trekking or snorkelling.

Family Statement

The child of the deceased woman said that her family was "surprised and grieved that the liner left the island after an planned tour without my parent".

In her statement, she characterized her mother as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a member of a walking club.

"According to scant details we have been provided, it appears that there was a failure of responsibility and basic judgment," she said.

She continued that she hoped the examination would be able to pinpoint what "the operator should have performed that might have preserved Mum's life".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mother fell ill on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"She was asked her to head down, alone. Then the ship sailed away, apparently without performing a headcount.

"During some point in that process, or shortly after, mother succumbed, alone."

Organization Position

In a statement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the organization was "cooperating fully with investigators to aid their investigation".

He stated that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had extended its complete assistance to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Practices

The vessel accommodates up to 120 passengers with forty-six staff, according to company details. It was specifically designed to enter remote locations of the nation's shoreline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - compact vessels used to ferry travelers on shore trips.

Events such as this are uncommon, and liners have procedures to record which travelers are boarding or getting off, according to industry experts.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," one expert stated.

Shipping companies consider these procedures extremely carefully and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such occurrences from taking place," the specialist added.

"This seems to be most likely a surprising - and unfortunate - isolated incident."